REVEALED: The 23-minute meltdown that saw United's players lose their cool at the Battle of Stamford Bridge

Last updated at 18:32 28 April 2008

The full extent of Manchester United's incredible reaction to their Barclays Premier League defeat at Chelsea has been revealed.

Within 23 minutes of the champions losing 2-1, half their squad became involved in a bust-up with ground staff - and eye-witnesses to the Battle of Stamford Bridge have revealed the full extent of United players' behaviour:

CCTV footage from the stadium cameras filmed every incident and the footage will be sent to the FA today, providing crucial evidence for their investigation.

Chelsea staff have been told they may have to appear as witnesses to an internal and FA inquiry.

One staff member who was in the tunnel told The Sun of the mayhem which unfolded after the final whistle.

He said: "Some United players came in quickly and quietly but Ferdinand ran down the stairs from the pitch and was going mental.

"He was effing and blinding and kicked the gate at the bottom of the stairs.

As he lashed out again he caught one of our female stewards on the leg with a heavy blow. She was stunned and clearly hurt by the kick.

"Rio realised what he'd done and said sorry but the damage was done. He stormed off into the dressing room still in a temper but came back out a few minutes later and apologised again and gave the steward his shirt as an apology."

The steward, Tracy Wray, who has been at Chelsea for nearly 15 years has accepted Ferdinand's apology.

The fury was not over, though, as England international Hargreaves screamed abuse at fourth official Riley as they passed on the pitch.

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Tongue- tied: Evra raises his hands as a member of Chelsea's groundstaff appears to aim a punch

Hargreaves continued his rant in the tunnel and he also lashed out at the wall and then damaged the doors which lead to the dressing-room corridor when he kicked them open.

Both players were caught on camera and face FA disciplinary action.

When things had calmed down inside, though, it all kicked off in the most dramatic fashion back on the pitch.

Six United players — Neville, Paul Scholes, Park Ji Sung, Evra, John O'Shea and Gerard Pique — were jogging as part of a warm-down.

They went to run across the goalmouth which was being worked on by Chelsea groundstaff.

A senior member of stadium staff asked the United players to run further out on the 18-yard line.

One player snapped: "We'll run where we f***ing like." Another witness added: "There was a confrontation and a lot of shouting but nothing physical at that point."

Chelsea claim Evra threw the first punch but United say it was a groundsman, said to be Sam Bethell. Although, it has also been alleged that Evra reacted to a racist remark.

The witness added: "Some of the tunnel stewards could see what was happening and made their way across.

"But just as Scholes and Pique made to run off, Evra lost it and grappled with one of the staff. He's a big lad and stood firm putting his arms up to defend himself.

"It all kicked off then, with Neville wading in and the others trying to break it all up.

"At one point there were more than 20 people involved. The whole thing lasted about 30 seconds."

The brawl was so serious that chief executive Peter Kenyon's personal matchday security chief, Ray Baxter, is seen in pictures trying to break it up.

Stamford Bridge tunnel supervisor, Michael Headley, is also pictured trying to sort out the trouble.

Both men — senior members of the stadium security staff — will be called as witnesses to the FA inquiry.

United players abandoned their warm-down routine after the fight and returned to the dressing room.

It was just 23 minutes since ref Alan Wiley ended the clash which saw United lose 2-1 and Chelsea draw level at the top of the Premier League table.